Question 78590
Write a simple equation for each statement:
:
"Joe is 10 years older than James."
 Jo = Ja + 10
: 
"In 8 years, twice Joe's age will equal three times James's age."
2(Jo + 8) = 3(Ja + 8)
2Jo + 16 = 3Ja + 24
2Jo = 3Ja + 24 - 16
2Jo = 3Ja + 8
:
Substitute (Ja+10) for Jo in the above equation, find Ja:
2(Ja+10) = 3Ja + 8
2Ja + 20 = 3Ja + 8
20 - 8 = 3Ja - 2Ja
Ja = 12 yrs, his age now
:
Jo is 10 years older; Jo = 22 yrs now
:
:
Check solution in the statement:
"In 8 years, twice Joe's age will equal three times James's age."
2(22 + 8) = 3(12 + 8)
2(30) = 3(20)
:
Make sense to you? Any questions?